Photos before rebuild starts!

Work to the existing structure will begin soon once we have confirmed details with the contractors. The rebuild will begin with several new piles being screwed into the ground, ready to support the weight of the new Pavilion and deck which will be built later this year.

See the pictures below for a look at how the Pier looks today; hopefully we will be seeing big changes soon!




Please click the pictures to see bigger versions.

Alphabeat @ the Grand Pier

Today's update is a look back to 2008 when Channel Four television visited Weston-super-Mare to host the annual pop music concert, T4 on the Beach.

During the run up to the concert, the Grand Pier was visited by Danish pop band, Alphabeat. The T4 concert took place one week before the fire and the Go-Karts & Climbing wall had only been open for a few days when the band visited.

Channel Four Television and the Done & Dusted Group have very kindly given us permission to upload the footage from Alphabeat's visit to the Grand Pier on our YouTube Channel. The clip was previously featured in a short program called Postcards from T4 and was broadcast on Channel Four, Summer 2008.



Tickets for T4 2009 are on sale Friday 3rd April, and further information about the concert/party on the beach can be found here.

Worle School Visit

Pupils studying Design & Technology from Worle Community School re-visited the Grand Pier to see for themselves how work is progressing to replace the iconic attraction.

Having visited back in October 2008, the 40 pupils are using the rebuilding of the Pier as a way to learn and understand how design and technology shapes their everyday lives.

Guided by Mike Joannou - Grand Pier Security Manager, the pupils were given an update on the work and what the next phases in the re-building of the pier will be including the piling which will help support the new pavilion.

Design and Technology teacher Peter Williams said: “It’s great for the pupils to see at first hand how, what they learn in the classroom is being applied to such an iconic structure as this and we would like to thank Mike for showing us around.

“There is a lot going on in Weston at the moment and the fact that it is going on right on our doorstep makes it very real for the pupils.”

Mike added: “It’s a great way for the pupils to learn the practicalities of design and technology and how they are being applied to a live project. I hope they’re able to take inspiration from what is going on here and look forward to seeing them again in the future for a further update.”





Pictured: Worle Community School pupils, Mike Joannou (Grand Pier) & Peter Williams (Worle School).

YouTube Channel

We have now set up our own youtube channel, which we plan to keep updated with the new happenings about the Pier, plus some insights into the history of the Pier.

So far we have been adding the Pier fans videos as our favourites so if you wish to add us as a friend, we will add you as a friend back. Also, if you have any videos you think we will like, please message us or post it as a comment to the blog or on the official facebook fanpage (link to your left in the links menu!)

We have also added the computerised walk through plan of the new Pier to the channel, previously seen on BBC news.

Happy viewing!

Buttons and the Grand Pier Fire

As some of you may know, one of the members of staff at the Grand Pier is an 8ft tall clown! Buttons decided to have a party on the night of the fire and was so full up with sweets, he slept in the sweet shop that night. He woke up to the sounds of the fire engines and decided to enlist the help of the Pier owners to tell his story about the fire.

The Grand Pier teamed up with Weston College to host a competition to a group of illustration students to bring Buttons' story to life in a brand new children's book.

Michelle Michael, co-owner at the pier said: “The idea came about because many children were worried about Buttons after the fire. As a result we wanted to let everyone know he is safe and well by producing a book telling his story.”

Nina Sully was the lucky student who has won the competition to provide all the illustrations for the book, written by Hayley Carlin. Nina, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, is currently studying on the National Diploma Foundation Studies Art & Design course and will now finalise her work for the book which will be published later in the year. Nina, who was born in Weston, was a biology teacher until she retired last August. A keen artist, she enrolled on the course to extend her skills and the opportunity to produce the illustrations for the book was one she just couldn’t miss.

Nina said: “Coming from Weston the chance to work on a children’s book about the pier was something I just had to do. To win is a real thrill and I’m working hard to make sure my initial illustrations are ready for the book to be printed. To think that my illustrations will be enjoyed by children for years to come is a real honour and I can’t wait to see the first printed copies.”

Jonathan Swindall, lecturer at Weston College added: “This was a great project for the students to work on. As a live project they had to work to a real deadline which acted as a great motivator. To get something published is also a great opportunity at this level and is fantastic for each student’s development.”



Pictured: Nina Sully (Weston College), Hayley Carlin (Grand Pier) & Buttons the Clown (Grand Pier)

Interview with Pier owner

Our friends at the Weston Mercury have posted an interview with Grand Pier co-owner, Michelle Michael, following the rebuilding plans being given the thumbs up!

To see the video, click here. For news that accompanies the video, see below.

Work on Weston's new £34million Grand Pier could start by the end of the month.

With rebuilding plans given the green light last night (Thus), the first contractors are expected to be signed up today (Fri) and work will start within weeks.

Pier co-owner Kerry Michael said: "We have worked very closely with North Somerset planners and between us we have given due consideration to all aspects of the application and ironed out any potential problems."

A second contractor could be signed up within 10 weeks and the pier could be open for business by next summer.

The most expensive item on the landmark structure is likely to be an observation tower at the rear, which is coming in at a cost of around £2million.

The proposals for the new attraction include a bar around three times bigger than the previous one, a Victorian tea room and a central canopy that would run the whole length of the pier, with sides that could close in bad weather.

This week, Mr Michael described how much enthusiasm has been shown for a wedding venue which would be incorporated in the new-look pavilion, with dozens phoning him up hoping to be the first to tie the knot on the new attraction.

But the Weston businessman says he will not book any ceremonies for the new glazed area until he has confirmed a re-opening date for the pier.

News from the Weston Mercury.

Hello & Welcome

Welcome to the official blog for the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare. Here you will have access to all of the latest news and plans for the new Pier, due to open Summer 2010.

Today, as our first post, we bring you news direct from the Weston Mercury as planning applications were approved just one week ago.

'EXCITING' £34million plans to rebuild Weston's fire-ravaged Grand Pier pavilion have been approved this evening.

Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are celebrating after securing planning permission for a scheme dubbed 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' by members of North Somerset Council's west area committee.

The group voted unanimously to allow the ambitious plan to proceed, meaning Weston could be home to a state-of-the-art pier - boasting observation tower, go-kart track and 4D cinema - by summer 2010.

The news will come as a boost to Weston's beleaguered tourism industry, which has suffered since losing the pier in July.

Cllr Andrew Horler said: "As mayor of Weston, I have received a lot of good wishes and hopes for this application.

"It has amazed me, over the course of the year, how many people - on a global scale - have shown an interest in the prospects for this site.

"What we have here is the chance to build a massive, multi-faceted, multi-use attraction, not only for tourists, but for the people of Weston.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime application, and the success of it is fundamental to the rebirth of Weston-super-Mare."

Michelle Michael was at the meeting to see councillors take little over 30 minutes to offer their backing to the proposal, and outlined her hopes for the future now permission has been secured.

She said: "We are delighted to have secured planning permission, and we are now keen to get on with the job of rebuilding as soon as practically possible.

"Our design team has been working flat-out for many months to being this project together, and came up with a concept which was everyone's overwhelming favourite.

"Getting planning permission is great, but it is just another step along the way.

"We want to make the Grand Pier in Weston the best pier in the world and we will continue the search that has been going on worldwide for the last few months to source rides and attractions.

"We believe that Weston can become more prosperous and be Britain's most sought-after seaside destination with a world class pier at its heart.

Thanks to the Mercury for this news article.